Vertical Farming Podcast - Conversations with CEOs, Founders & Leaders in AgTech & CEA cover art

Vertical Farming Podcast - Conversations with CEOs, Founders & Leaders in AgTech & CEA

Vertical Farming Podcast - Conversations with CEOs, Founders & Leaders in AgTech & CEA

Written by: Harry Duran
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 Vertical farming is a revolutionary approach to produce production leveraging controlled environment agriculture (CEA) technology and systems in innovative ways. It facilitates production of huge quantities of nutritious and quality fresh food without relying on favorable weather, high water usage, skilled labor, and high soil fertility. This ensures reliable yield and consistency in crop production year-round with climate control, and no effects of external environment factors such as diseases, pests, or predator attacks. Join Harry Duran, Host of the Apple-recommended Podcast Junkies and Founder of FullCast, as he explores the world of controlled-environment agriculture (CEA). Tune in every week for fascinating conversations with CEOs, Founders and luminaries from the exciting and fast-growing world of Vertical Farming. If you've been interested in the world of Indoor AgTech and want to hear inspiring stories from the innovators on the frontlines of this fast-moving industry, then this most definitely the show for you! Subscribe and learn more by visiting http://verticalfarmingpodcast.com/2022 FullCast Biological Sciences Science
Episodes
  • 181: Why Mastering Vapor Pressure Control Holds the Key to Exceptional Crop Quality with David Sandelman

    181: Why Mastering Vapor Pressure Control Holds the Key to Exceptional Crop Quality with David Sandelman
    May 9 2026
    Ever wonder why your plants aren’t thriving—or why your post-harvest yields and terpene profiles just don’t stack up? I’ve been there, and this episode is your shortcut out of the guesswork.This week, I’m joined by David Sandelman, CTO of Cannatrol, inventor, and expert in environmental controls with decades of pioneering innovation under his belt. From the origins of digital thermostats to revolutionizing post-harvest processing in cheese, charcuterie, and cannabis, David Sandelman brings deep scientific insight and a passion for precision.We dive into the real science behind environmental control—why traditional approaches to humidity just don’t cut it, and how understanding vapor pressure is the key to stable, high-quality crops across cheese, cannabis, and even hops. David Sandelman explains, in plain terms, how “water activity” trumps “percent moisture” for true shelf stability and consistent results.You’ll also hear about the future of indoor farming, from AI-optimized grow rooms to what legacy cultivators can learn from the world of cheese and charcuterie. Plus, we dig into practical applications—whether you’re a large-scale producer or a passionate home grower—along with candid insights from David Sandelman’s journey in the industry.Ready to get clarity and control over your crops while boosting quality and yield? Hit play and discover the system that’s changing the game for post-harvest and indoor growers everywhere.Thanks to Our SponsorsCEA Summit East - https://indoor.ag/cea-summit-east-2025/Indoor AgCon - https://indoor.ag/Key Takeaways00:00 From Vermont Restaurants to Post-Harvest Technology00:06:10 The Science of Controls and Humidity Explained00:12:01 Cannabis Flower, Water Activity, and Drying Innovation00:18:00 Trichomes, Terpenes, and Preserving Quality00:23:32 Consistency, Yield, and the Future of Quality Cannabis00:29:32 Expanding Applications: Hops, Tea, and Industry Insights00:34:35 Embracing Change and Applying Proven ScienceTweetable Quotes"That's when we built a prototype and we purchased a wine cooler and stripped it out, just used the insulated box with the door and put a couple of thousand dollars worth of controls on it, gave it to a grower and said, put some flour in there and tell us what happens. Is it going to destroy it? Does nothing? And sure enough, two weeks later, he's like, I don't know what this box is, but this is some of the finest flower I've ever produced. He's, like, hanging on to it. I'm not going to give it back. And that's when we knew we were onto something.""We are a process system that's designed for the process of getting your proper product to the right water activity for shelf stability versus applying conventional comfort cooling equipment to accomplish it.""We like to say it's sous vide for weed."Resources MentionedWebsite - https://cannatrols.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-sandelman-74323216/Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@cannatrolsolutionsInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/cannatrol/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cannatrol/Twitter - https://x.com/CannatrolsConnect With UsVFP LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcastVFP Twitter - https://twitter.com/VerticalFarmPodVFP Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/VFP Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VerticalFarmPodSubscribe to our newsletters!AgTech Digest - https://agtechdigest.comThe Indoor Farmer - https://www.indoorverticalfarm.com/Horti-Gen Insights - https://www.hortigeninsights.com/🎙️🎙️🎙️Podcast Production and Marketing by FullCastDiscover the best podcast services in the world at The Podosphere: https://www.thepodosphere.com/Mentioned in this episode:2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews2025 Precision Ag Report2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews2025 Precision Ag Report
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    44 mins
  • Precision Agriculture Report 2025: Surprising Patent & Funding Trends - AgTech Digest

    Precision Agriculture Report 2025: Surprising Patent & Funding Trends - AgTech Digest
    Apr 20 2026
    📺 Watch on YouTube and SpotifyiGrow News - 2025 Precision Ag Intelligence Report - https://igrownews.com/precisionEpisode DescriptionWhat shook up the world of precision agriculture in 2025? In this exclusive deep dive, Harry Duran sits down with Sepehr Achard, fellow co-founder of iGrow News, to explore the striking trends and surprising signals from the just-released 2025 Precision Ag Intelligence Report. From the surging impact of AI on product development—and the sudden vulnerability of software-only companies—to unexpected M&A moves like food giants buying robotics startups and why a drop in patent filings could predict a seismic shift, this episode connects the industry’s hidden dots.Discover why $600 million in funding might no longer guarantee success, the mysterious surge of patents out of China (but almost none granted), and which countries are quietly emerging as ag innovation hubs. The guests grapple with the future of metrics like "compute cost per acre," the looming prospect of AI-taxation, and whether distribution—rather than technology—could become the true differentiator.And in a world rocked by global tensions, could fertilizer shocks and input price spikes trigger the next wave of ag innovation—or stall it in its tracks? Don't miss this detailed yet fast-paced conversation pulling back the curtain on where precision ag is heading next.Ready for the data points no newswire is covering? Press play.5 Key TakeawaysIn a rapidly evolving AgTech landscape, strategic awareness and rapid adaptation are critical for survival and growth. Take charge of your future with these decisive actions:Monitor patent activity and social signals of key industry players to anticipate strategic moves and market shifts.Diversify beyond pure software solutions—build or partner for hardware, own unique data, and prioritize distribution networks for defensible growth.Prepare for increased M&A activity by strengthening your customer base, technology differentiation, and profitability to become acquisition-ready.Rethink KPIs for the AI era by tracking new metrics like compute cost per acre and token usage to measure operational efficiency.Keep a pulse on global events, such as geopolitical conflict and supply chain volatility, to anticipate their cascading impact on AgTech investments and strategic decisions.Act now—evaluate your business model, data, and partnerships with these insights to stay ahead in precision agriculture.Memorable Quotes"It's not a differentiator anymore to have fancy technology or AI you can create; the real differentiators are controlling the data, owning the hardware, and—most importantly—having the distribution.""The cost of developing new products is dramatically decreasing, but the cost of introducing these products to market is increasing; developing technology alone doesn't mean much anymore because it can be replicated quickly and cheaply.""China has a patent creation engine driven by universities, but once you look at actual granted patents and real technology, there are overlooked hubs like Korea, Japan, India, Israel, the Netherlands, and the U.S. producing innovations that are truly patentable and impactful."Resources MentionedTaylor Farms - https://www.taylorfarms.com/FarmWise (Autonomous Weeding Business) - https://www.farmwise.io/Climate Corporation - https://climate.com/John Deere - https://www.deere.com/Massey Ferguson - https://www.masseyferguson.com/CNH Industrial - https://www.cnh.com/Starlink (integrated by CNH Industrial) - https://www.starlink.com/Arable - https://www.arable.com/Google Cloud - https://cloud.google.com/Amazon Web Services (AWS) - https://aws.amazon.com/Yamaha Agriculture - https://global.yamaha-motor.com/business/precision_ag/Caterpillar - https://www.caterpillar.com/Monarch Tractor - https://monarchtractor.com/Connect with Us!Be sure go subscribe to our other shows:Vertical Farming Podcast: https://verticalfarmingpodcast.com/Greenhouse Success Stories: https://greenhousesuccess.com/Presented by iGrowNews.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/igrownews🎙️🎙️🎙️Discover the best podcast services in the world at The Podosphere: https://www.thepodosphere.com/
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    38 mins
  • 180: Why Focusing on Farming Holds the Key to Real Success in Vertical Agriculture

    180: Why Focusing on Farming Holds the Key to Real Success in Vertical Agriculture
    Mar 20 2026
    Ever wonder if vertical farming is more about mastering plant care than chasing the latest tech trend? I do—and in this episode, you'll find out why that's the reality.Join me as I sit down with Andrew Volpetti, Business Development Director for North America at Red Horticulture, whose deep background in horticulture, hydroponics, and business development has positioned him at the forefront of controlled environment agriculture innovation. With an impressive career spanning over 15 years—including leadership in lighting solutions and a passion for solving agricultural challenges—Andrew brings rich expertise and refreshing honesty to the booming vertical farming industry.This episode gets real about what’s driving the next wave in vertical farming: prioritizing plant health and farm success over flashy tech. Together, Harry Duran and Andrew Volpetti unpack why the “hype bubble” around vertical farming technology has popped, and why that’s a good thing for growers, investors, and anyone passionate about sustainable food systems. You’ll get an insider look at how Red Horticulture’s dynamic LED lighting is helping make farming smarter, not just more high-tech.Beyond tech talk, we explore personal journeys—from backyard gardening roots to global industry leadership—plus crucial topics like sustainability, the impact of legacy practices on soil and water, and the evolving rebate landscape for LED upgrades. Andrew Volpetti also shares candid stories of wins, challenges, and the importance of relationship-building in agri-business.Ready to discover the real future of vertical farming and how you can be part of a movement that’s grounded in reality—not just hype? Click play and listen to the full episode now!Thanks to Our SponsorsCEA Summit East - https://indoor.ag/cea-summit-east-2025/Indoor AgCon - https://indoor.ag/Key Takeaways00:00 Indoor Ag Con Recap & Industry Reality00:06 Early Connections: Family, Food, and Farming00:13 Hydrofarm Career Journey & Sales Philosophy00:22 Transition to RED Horticulture & Dynamic Lighting00:29 LED Technology Advances & Client Success Stories00:36 Work Ethic, Motivation, and Future VisionsTweetable Quotes"I think a lot of the hype bubble, which did pop, and everyone using that trough of disillusionment graph ad nauseam, I think it was good to see. And I think everyone is appreciating it more.""Dynamic lighting was something that I was vaguely familiar with. I knew there were a lot of changes in LEDs, and the one thing I knew I didn't want to do is just be a box pusher. I wanted to believe in the product, I wanted to understand the product, and I wanted to find solutions for people growing crops that hadn't been presented to them. That's where I think the value lies.""I wanted to take Latin. I wound up taking 8 years of Latin. Now, I'm not going to say I was an A student. I wasn't a B student. I was like a C-. But you know what? Dogged determination. I think that pays. And I think it also helped me just realize, look, if you work hard, you put the time in, you learn, you really can achieve, you know, and I think my parents' work ethic, but you know, being told you can't do something is usually the greatest motivator for most people."Resources MentionedWebsite - https://www.horticulture.red/en/LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/andrew-volpetti-mbaConnect With UsVFP LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcastVFP Twitter - https://twitter.com/VerticalFarmPodVFP Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/VFP Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VerticalFarmPodSubscribe to our newsletters!AgTech Digest - https://agtechdigest.comThe Indoor Farmer - https://www.indoorverticalfarm.com/Horti-Gen Insights - https://www.hortigeninsights.com/🎙️🎙️🎙️Podcast Production and Marketing by FullCastDiscover the best podcast services in the world at The Podosphere: https://www.thepodosphere.com/Mentioned in this episode:2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews2025 Precision Ag Report2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews2025 Precision Ag Report
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    42 mins
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